05-08-2021, 10:51 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-08-2021, 10:52 AM by dirkfansince1998.)
(05-07-2021, 11:39 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Do you recall what all happened in the summer of 2016. Durant went to GS, Barnes signed with Dallas, Dwight Powell got his first big contract at about $9mm per year. Dallas had just removed his QO in late June making him unrestricted. Then, Deron Williams agreed to a number and then agreed to whittle that number because the front office figured out they could do the big Dirk one year $25mm deal if they paid DWill a little less. Schwartz delivered Barnes and got good deals for Powell and DWill in the process. He was in such a strong position in terms of what he got for Williams that he gave back $1mm so the team could pay Dirk.
Agents have a lot of influence. They don't make decisions for teams, but they can certainly ask that their backs be scratched if they do a favor for a team. So, Duffy now controls Chicago's two "stars". Chicago wants to keep LaVine and the risk is he plays for $19.5 and gets a max elsewhere on the open market (remember when posters thought KP would play for his QO just to get out of Dallas?). Player and agent want the money a year early, but they have the threat and can excert pressure to get other things. JRich's involvement accomplishes more than just doing a favor for Duffy.
Agree that this is how it works behind the scenes but If this is the best Duffy and Schwartz have done "for" the Mavs it might be time to change the approach.